The Horsemanship and Mindset Podcast

Kimberly Dunn of Idyllwild Horsemanship and Mindset Coaching
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Welcome! The Horsemanship and Mindset Podcast is here to help you better understand yourself, and your horse, by bringing you the best in stories, tips, tricks, interviews and advice, around all things mindset and horsemanship. If you are ready to cultivate your confidence, and deepen your level of understanding of yourself and your horse...then this is the pod for you. Lets go!

  1. 2d ago

    Self Awareness...why it so important, and how you can cultivate it!

    In this weeks episode I am reading out a chapter of my book, The Equestrians Guide to Confidence and Connection, which is all about self awareness, why its so important for our relationship with our horses, and how you can start cultivating it. I hope its helpful! Wanna jump into the The Ride Reset Challenge starting Monday 14th? Heres the link! https://buy.stripe.com/9B65kDarT4VF1v4grq7ss0s

  2. Sep 4

    Some Real Life Examples of the Work...Working!

    This weeks episode is a little riff on some real life examples of nervous system regulation, mindset work, and breaking things down, and how they can truly help you build confidence, self trust, and go and live your life...well. I hope you find them helpful! As I mention in the podcast, I now have a few 1:1 spots open to work with me, if you would like a free consult call, email me at info@idyllwildhorsemanship.com or dm me on the socials at @thehorsemanshipandmindsetcoach. Equally, if you would like to submit a question for next weeks Q n A episode, use the same contact details! Finally, if you would like to be part of the 21 Day Rider Reset Challenge, beginning on Sept 14th - here is the link to grab your spot now! - https://buy.stripe.com/9B65kDarT4VF1v4grq7ss0s

  3. Aug 28

    The 21 Day Rider Reset: A sneak peek!

    If you've ever struggled with rider confidence, anxiety around horses, overthinking, catastrophising, self-doubt or trusting yourself in the saddle, this episode is for you. Today I'm giving you an exclusive first look at The 21 Day Rider Reset ....a brand-new challenge I've created to help riders understand their minds, work with their nervous systems, build self-trust and develop greater confidence. In this special launch episode, I share: ✨ Why I created The 21 Day Rider Reset ✨ Who the challenge is designed for ✨ What you'll actually be doing during the 21 days ✨ How mindset and nervous-system regulation affect confidence ✨ Why small, repeated practices can be more useful than simply consuming more information ✨ How EFT, affirmations, hypnotherapy, reflection and mindset work fit into the challenge ✨ Why I chose 21 days ✨ What you can expect from the community ✨ The transformation I'm hoping riders experience by the end This isn't about becoming fearless. It's not about forcing yourself to “just be confident”. And it's definitely not about fixing something that's wrong with you. It's about learning to understand yourself better, recognise what's happening when you wobble, and develop practical tools that help you respond differently. 🐴 JOIN THE 21 DAY RIDER RESETThe 21 Day Rider Reset starts September 14th. 21 days. £21. You'll receive a short daily practice focused on mindset, confidence, emotional awareness, nervous-system regulation and self-trust, alongside access to the challenge community. 👉 Join The 21 Day Rider Reset here: [LETS GO!] Come and spend 21 days investing in the part of your riding that doesn't always get enough attention: You!

  4. Aug 21

    What If It Goes RIGHT? How to Trade Catastrophe for Curiosity With Your Horse

    Do you ever find yourself worrying about what might happen with your horse before anything has actually happened? What if he spooks? What if he naps? What if I can't stop him? What if I fall off? What if everyone thinks I'm a rubbish rider?What if this goes horribly wrong? If your brain has a habit of jumping straight from uncertainty to worst-case scenario, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Horsemanship & Mindset Podcast, we're talking about catastrophising, riding anxiety, horse riding confidence and one simple but powerful alternative: curiosity. Catastrophising is a common pattern of anxious thinking where the mind jumps ahead to the worst possible outcome. For riders, this can show up as constant “what if?” thoughts, overthinking horse behaviour, anticipating a spook or bolt, worrying about losing control, or mentally replaying everything that could go wrong before you've even got on. The problem isn't that your brain is trying to protect you, its when you start treating the story your brain has created as though it is *already happening.* Instead of trying to force yourself to “think positively”, this episode explores how to become curious rather than catastrophic. You'll learn five simple reframes you can use immediately with your horse: “What if something goes wrong?” → “What is actually happening right now?”“What if it goes wrong?” → “I wonder what will happen?”“I have to know what will happen.” → “I can handle information as it arrives.”“This means something is wrong.” → “What else could this mean?”“I need to make this go perfectly.” → “What can I learn from this?”This isn't about ignoring genuine risk, pretending you're never nervous or forcing yourself to do things you're not ready for, it's about learning to separate what is happening from what you fear might happen. That distinction can make a huge difference to your horse riding confidence, your nervous system and the way you communicate with your horse. In this episode, we explore:What catastrophising actually isWhy your brain jumps to worst-case scenariosWhy “what if?” thinking can feel like preparationHow anxiety and overthinking can affect your experience with your horseThe difference between fear and useful informationWhy curiosity is such a powerful mindset for equestriansHow to become more present when you're ridingFive practical reframes for anxious thoughtsHow to stop turning every ride into a test of your abilityWhy confidence isn't about knowing nothing will go wrongHow to build confidence by learning that you can respond when things don't go according to planYour takeaway for this week: Don't aim for a perfect ride! Aim for a curious ride. Come and find meIf you're a horse rider who wants to feel more confident, calm and connected, (without having to become a completely different person first)come and follow me on the socials, @thehorsemanshipandmindsetcoach You'll find more practical content around horse riding confidence, rider mindset, anxiety, nervous system regulation, horsemanship and building a better relationship with your horse. You can also head to the link in my bio to find my resources and apply to work with me. If you've been thinking about getting support, don't wait until the summer is over to start doing something differently. Take the first step now. Lets go!

  5. Aug 14

    “What If They Think I’m a Terrible Rider?” How to Stop Worrying About What Other People Think!!!

    Do you worry about people watching you ride? Maybe you’re scared they think you’re a bad rider. Maybe you worry they’re judging your decisions, laughing at you, talking about you afterwards or thinking you’re doing the wrong thing with your horse. Or perhaps you find yourself constantly needing reassurance that you’re doing the “right” thing. In this episode, we’re talking about fear of judgement, low confidence, people-pleasing, validation and self-trust in equestrianism, and why worrying about other people’s opinions can have such a huge impact on your confidence around horses. We’ll explore: 🐴 Why humans are wired to care about social approval 🐴 Why being watched can trigger anxiety and self-consciousness 🐴 The difference between seeking advice and seeking validation 🐴 How the reassurance cycle can actually make confidence worse 🐴 The “mind-reading” trap and assuming you know what other people think 🐴 Why you probably aren't being watched as closely as you think 🐴 How to decide whose opinions actually deserve your attention 🐴 Why confidence isn't about nobody judging you 🐴 Practical ways to build self-trust and become less dependent on reassurance 🐴 How to redirect your attention away from the audience and back towards your horse 🐴 Reframes to help you stop worrying about being judged One of the biggest mindset shifts in this episode is this: Confidence isn't knowing everyone approves of you. Confidence is knowing they might not and trusting yourself anyway! If you're ready to stop overthinking every ride, build genuine confidence and feel more secure in your decisions with your horse, I’m currently taking on 1:1 horsemanship and mindset coaching clients before the summer ends. Work with me 1:1: link in bio on the socials ~ @thehorsemanshipandmindsetcoach or email me at info@idyllwildhorsemanship.com And if you know another rider who constantly worries about what people think, send them this episode! Enjoy and I'll see you in the next one! #equestrianpodcast #equestrianmindset #horseconfidence #riderconfidence #equestrianconfidence #horsemanship #horsemanshippodcast #equineconfidence #horseanxiety #rideranxiety #equestrianlife #equestrianwomen #confidencewithhorses #horsetraining #mindsetforriders

  6. Aug 7

    When the Horse World Feels Heavy: Protecting Your Confidence With Compassion

    Recent tragedies within the equestrian community have understandably left many riders feeling anxious about getting back out competing. In this episode, I explore how to acknowledge difficult events with compassion and respect, while protecting your own confidence and mindset. You'll learn why our brains naturally become more cautious after hearing upsetting news, how social media can amplify fear, and practical ways to refocus on your own horse, your own preparation and your own journey. This episode is not about ignoring risk or pretending difficult things don't happen. It's about finding the balance between staying informed, honouring those affected, and making decisions from preparation and trust rather than fear. In this episode, you'll discover:Why recent events can make competition suddenly feel more frighteningThe psychology behind why our brains overestimate risk after emotional storiesHow to stay compassionate without carrying everyone else's fearPractical ways to calm your nervous system before competingWhy confidence isn't the absence of risk, it's trusting your preparation and partnershipIf you've been feeling more hesitant about competing, riding away from home, or stepping back into the arena after hearing difficult news, this conversation is for you. If you enjoyed this episode and/or found it helpful, I'd be so grateful if you could follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with another equestrian who might need to hear it. You can find more confidence and mindset support here: Instagram: @thehorsemanshipandmindsetcoach TikTok: @thehorsemanshipandmindsetcoach Website: www.idyllwildhorsemanship.com Email: info@idyllwildhorsemanship.com I'd love to hear your thoughts or ideas for future episodes. You can always send me a message or email, and your suggestion might inspire a future conversation just like this one. Thank you so much for listening, and I'll see you in the next episode!

  7. Jul 31

    The Horse Welfare Conversation Is Missing One Critical Piece (And No One's Talking About It!!)

    Horse welfare has become one of the biggest conversations in the equestrian world...but are we overlooking one of the most important factors? In this episode, I, a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Mindset Coach and Horsemanship Coach, explore why the rider's nervous system plays a crucial role in horse welfare, confidence and communication. Discover how horses read our emotional state before we even ask them to move, why fear affects timing, feel and decision-making, and how learning to regulate your nervous system can transform your partnership with your horse. Whether you've lost confidence, own a sensitive horse, or simply want to become a calmer, more effective rider, this episode will challenge the way you think about welfare and horsemanship. In this episode you'll learn:Why horses respond to your nervous system before your riding aids.The neuroscience behind horse-human communication.Why confidence is about creating safety, not forcing bravery.How anxiety affects riding, timing and decision-making.Three practical ways to become a calmer, safer partner for your horse.Why rider wellbeing is an essential part of horse welfare. Perfect for riders who want to:Build confidence with horses.Understand horse behaviour.Improve horse-human communication.Learn about nervous system regulation.Create a stronger partnership with their horse.Ride with more calm, clarity and connection. Want to work together or find more helpful resources? Head here for more! https://linktr.ee/Idyllwildhorsemanship?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=5d4b4c64-c404-4f73-9643-297fdd3b209f Keywords (SEO)horse welfare, rider confidence, horse behaviour, horse psychology, nervous system regulation, equestrian mindset, horse training, confidence with horses, anxious rider, equestrian podcast, horse communication, groundwork, riding confidence, equine behaviour, horsemanship, neuroscience and horses, horse-human connection, confidence coach for riders, clinical hypnotherapy for riders, Kimberly Dunn, Horsemanship & Mindset Podcast

  8. Jul 24

    The Hidden Habit That's Holding You Back With Your Horse (And Why Worry Isn't Protecting You)

    Do you find yourself constantly worrying about your horse or your time together? Whether it's worrying your horse will spook, worrying what other people think, or worrying something might go wrong, you're certainly not alone. In this episode, I explore why worry feels so convincing, what it's actually doing inside your brain and nervous system, and why it often keeps riders stuck rather than safe. You'll learn why your horse can sense your internal state, how your brain becomes wired to search for threats, and simple, practical techniques you can start using today to interrupt the cycle of worry and build genuine confidence. In this episode you'll discover:Why worry isn't the same as preparationWhat happens inside the brain when we worryHow stress hormones affect your ridingWhy horses often respond to our nervous systemThe difference between facts and storiesSimple reframing techniques to quiet an anxious mindHow to begin rewiring your brain for calm confidenceIf you're ready to stop overthinking and start enjoying your horse again, this episode is for you. Ready to work together?I'm opening limited 1:1 coaching and hypnotherapy spaces this summer to help equestrians overcome anxiety, build confidence and strengthen their partnership with their horse. 📧 Email: info@idyllwildhorsemanship.com Enjoyed this episode?Please remember to: ⭐ Follow the podcast⭐ Leave a review⭐ Share this episode with a fellow horse rider who needs to hear itEvery review helps more riders discover the podcast and realise they don't have to navigate confidence struggles alone! SEO KeywordsHorse riding confidence, equestrian mindset, horse rider anxiety, worrying before riding, nervous system regulation, riding confidence, equestrian psychology, horse rider mindset, riding anxiety help, hypnotherapy for riders, horse confidence coach, confidence with horses, horse behaviour, equestrian podcast, mindset coaching for riders.

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About

Welcome! The Horsemanship and Mindset Podcast is here to help you better understand yourself, and your horse, by bringing you the best in stories, tips, tricks, interviews and advice, around all things mindset and horsemanship. If you are ready to cultivate your confidence, and deepen your level of understanding of yourself and your horse...then this is the pod for you. Lets go!

Information

  • Creator
    Kimberly Dunn of Idyllwild Horsemanship and Mindset Coaching
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Explicit